“Life
is a pendulum between a smile and a tear” Riki says
philosophically, as she makes her entrance to the Kitty Party
organised at Salma’s house while Malini, Meera, Seema and
others were waiting for her arrival to start the party.

Meera
is now getting impatient. It has been about half an hour and nothing
to gulp, at least some of the mouth watering dishes should have made
their appearance. Before coming to the Kitty Party she had made sure
about the menu from Salma. Now she cannot wait any further as her
stomach is aching with hunger, the tongue eager for the taste.

She
had a very light lunch today of only fried rice with a few pieces of
chicken.

Riki
asked “What is in agenda for today?”

Seema, a snob, habituated to pin
each and every one in
any given opportunity remarks “Let’s start with any one
of the delicious recipes that Meera might have to share”.
Everybody at the party knew that Meera was a bad cook and a big Zero
in recipes.

To
ease the situation Rekha drew everybody’s attention towards
Simi “What’s the matter dear? You look very fresh and
bright today. Any good news. Please, don’t disclose if you
can’t.”

Rekha
is right. Today Simi looks fresher than any other day and she is
also smiling very often.

Seema
remarked “Oh, she is fresh for ‘Orchids’. They must
have made a good amount by applying Shahnaz Gold on her. All these
useless things”

In
fact Seema is a weekly visitor to ‘Orchids’ and is their
privilege customer, in plain words a prime mover in their cash flow.

Simi
shows off a new white ring in her left hand middle finger “Birthday
gift from husband. Oh I am very happy. He said those few words ‘I
love you’ and gave a gentle kiss. Don’t misunderstand,
not on lips”

“You
are really lucky. A few days back I asked our Mr Perfect to bring me
a new Sania Nose Ring. He gave me a glare that made me feel like
asking for the moon.” Actually Meera never allows any change to
go without making a carp about her husband. “Mr Perfect is only
concerned about himself. A worthless character engaged in what he
calls social service, attending meeting for the betterment of
society. He never cares for or bring me any gift except during Bihu’s
and Puja’s.” In true sense Meera has succeeded in making
the life a hell for her so called worthless husband.

Malini
enters the room from kitchen with Salma after supervising the food
and arrangements.

“Let
us start out discussion. We have to bring certain value out of our
meetings, not only just eat and make merry”

The
room became silent and everybody sat attentively looking eagerly to
Malini.

“As
you know that the flood situation has worsened creating a lot of
misery to the people nearby. While we are comfortable here many like
us are maybe surviving with one meal or no meal. Think about the
children. What life has offered to them?”

The
room became more silent as if somebody has just breathed his last.

Breaking
the silence Meera spoke “The children might be suffering a lot
along with their mothers. My aunt is the distributor of Oriflame
products; she can supply some products.”

Malini
gave a stern look and asked “Any other suggestion?”

“Why
don’t we arrange for at least a meal and some clothes for the
children along with a tarpaulin?” suggested Jessy who is
usually quite and reserved.

The
idea was really brilliant and bound to be accepted by all. Malini
immediately accepted the idea and asked for consensus. All raised
their hands to give consent, baring Seema who uttered something
inaudible.

Malini
asked Neera to find out the expenses. Neera is a young member and was
important as she was of commerce background and really sharp.

It
was a long wait for Meera and she said “Let’s have our
food first and then again come back for our discussions.”Everybody
was about to dash towards the dining arena and Malini had to make a
good effort to stop them.

“First
let’s finish the job and then we will enjoy our food. Also the
food is not yet ready.” She moved towards Neera who was
starting to calculate the expenses to be incurred. Malini noticed
that Neera was wearing a nice Pink saree.

“What
a nice saree, you look gorgeous Neera.” Neera felt a sigh of
relief, at least someone had notice her new saree, which she had
purchased exclusively for today’s party.

Actually
everybody had observed it, but nobody really desired to give any
importance to her.

Neera
finished her job in a few minutes and handed over the expenses detail
to Malini.

As
Malini presented the ‘Budget’ there were whispers all
around and when the final figure came out there was uproar. Each
member has to bear a sum of Rs 1000/-. Meera
already impatient, waiting for the food stood up “It is no
point in spending such a huge amount. After all what will we gain
from it? No personal benefit. I am not along with it. Also my husband
will kill me if I ask him for such a huge amount”

Meera’s
purse might be having at least two to three thousand of rupees at
that time. Her monthly pocket money is at least five to six thousand
always bullied from her better half.

Seema
said “We are not in social service. We don’t want to make
a name. We don’t want our photos or names to be published in
newspaper. What we really want is to help the people. Helping people
must not cost such a huge amount.”

Seema’s
photograph was once published in a local newspaper as she garlanded a
visiting dignitary to the club during Bihu holidays when most of the
people were away. She made a photocopy of the newspaper and
circulated to each and everyone she knew through the resources
available of her better half.

There
were similar voices from the room with only Jessy, Salma, Malini and
Neera keeping mum. The crowd was getting unruly.

“Why
not some fruits to the children? Maybe an apple, a banana and a
packet of biscuits. It will cost about Rs 10/- per packet.”
Rekha said. Everyone clapped and accepted the proposal.

“Yes
it will be a good meal and the fruits will provide them with the
necessary vitamins.” Meera and Seema remarked simultaneously.

“We
can also explore the opportunity to donating some of our old clothes
and shoes/slippers also” Neera suggested.

“It
is final. Now let’s proceed for High tea” Malini
concluded the meeting.

Meera
and Seema led the others to the area.

“Oh
Seema, you know the ‘Tuna Salad’, ‘Chicken with
Baby Corn and Mushroom’, ‘Vegetable Kabiraji’ not
to mention of the ‘Vegetable Fried Rice’ made by Salma is
five star class. It reminds me of our stay at ‘The Hilton’
last year.”

Meera
generally makes a trip once a year with her family as she her sisters
and brothers are all settled across the globe.

Seema,
eating a spoonful of fried rice, “You know I fine the food at
‘The Taj’ much more delicious than any other. Oh! I
really like it”.

Everybody
in the group knew about the misadventure that Seema had in her only
trip to a five star hotel – JW Marriot, Mumbai, with her
husband in an official tour. She pretended to be sick so that she
could avoid the ‘Dinner party’ thrown in honour of her
husband, as she trembled while speaking English to unknown persons.
She confided to her close friends that she will never step again in a
five star hotel. Till date she has kept her promise.

During
tea it was decided to go to the nearby relief camp on Sunday, which
is only six days away.

Malini
said “Since all of us will not be able to go, let us find out
who will go.”

Meera,
Seema, Rekha, Riki, Simi volunteered to go.

Seema
asked Malini “What should we wear on that day?”

“It
will be better if we wear traditional dress and also of light shades”
making a cut on Seema who was wearing a dark saffron saree with blood
coloured lipstick. Her lack of dress sense is praised by all.

“Oh
at least I can buy a new set of Mekhela Chador” Meera said.
“What might it cost? she asked adjusting her halter top.

“Not
less than two to three thousand.” Seema said.

She
was wondering how to milk out the money from her better half as it is
a golden opportunity for buying a new dress.

All
of a sudden a brilliant idea stuck her “Charity” and she
shouted ecstatically “Hip, Hip Hurrah, Long Live our Kitty
Party, East or West, our Kitty is the best”

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